Massaging apparatus



Aug. 14, 1928. y 1,680,989 4 o. HIBNER MAssAGING APPARATUS Filed May 22,1925 INVENTOYR J M2M/MW ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

.UNITED STATES OLE HIBNER, oF ,cLEvELAivn omo.

MASSAGIN G APPARATUS.

Application tiled May 22,

My invention relates to a new and improved massaging apparatus andrelates more particularly to a portable massaging apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide for accomplishing a massagingoperation by producing an effect similar to the patting of a handmassaging operation but which will be more efficacious in its effects.

Another object of my invention is to provide as an article ofmanufacture a massagingelement adapted to be easily attached anddetached from the mandrel of the massaging mechanism. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and novel method forthe manufacture of such a massaging element.

Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will becomereadily apparent from the following description of an em` bodiment of myinvention and the method of manufacturing such an embodiment, and thefollowing description of a novel method involving its use.

In this description reference will be had todrawings of the saidembodiment and in which drawings, wherein y Fig. 1 shows a plan View ofmy improved massaging apparatus;

Fig. 2 shows ak transverse section through the massaging element, takenon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section view of one embodiment of the methodand a portion of they apparatus for assembling my massagin elementbefore the brush portion is applied; f

Fig. 4 shows a transverse sectional view of the massaging element havingthe brush elements applied thereto; and

Fig.- 5 shows the brush element in blank before the same is wrappedabout its core.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the specification anddrawings, 1 designates a casing for supporting a motor means for mymassaging apparatus, preferably an electric motor, or the like. Thecasing 1 is provided with suitable Ventilating openings 2 to preventoverheating of the motor. Access to the interior of the casing 1 may behad when desired in any known manner. Carried by and projecting from oneside of the casing 1, I have provided a handle 3 of any con- 19x26.Serial No. 110,834.

ventional type which is grasped by the operator to support the massagingapparatus when in use. Much of the apparatus is preferably composed oflight .metal such as aluminum or the like.

Journaled in the opposite end of thecasing 1, from the handle 3, at 4,is a motor shaft 5, which projectslaterally to forma mandrel to receivemy improved massaging element or brush 6. The shaft or mandrel 5 ispreferably rounded at its end 7.

My improved massaging element 6 is preferably formed as an integralstructure, of

pliable material; this is preferably done by forming a unitary massagingelement of a` massaging apparatus by placing a tubular core of rubbermaterial over a vulcanizing mandrel, in spirally wrapping upon the saidcore a relatively thin band of rubber material having a multiplicity oflaterally eX- tending strings, in applying a vulcanizing cement to thecore and the band, exclusive of the strings, and in heating'said mandrelby introducing a heating fluid to the interior thereof to vulc'anizevthe band and the core into a unitary structure. The massaging element 6comprises a tubular core preferably closed at its outer end 10 tocoverthe outer end of the mandrel or shaft 5. The inner end of the tubularcore terminates in headed portion 11, adapted to fit snugly infrictional engagement on the mandrel 5. The inner end of the mandrel 5,adjacent its bearing, is preferably provided with a circumferentialgroove 1S, said groove receiving and retaining a wire ring 12 over whichthe bead 11 is forced, to retain kthe massaging element in position onthe mandrel.

The massaging apparatus is contacted with the face or body of the personto be massaged while the mandrel is rapidly rotated by the motor. Themode of constructing the massaging element of Fig. 4 will be understoodby referring to Fig. 3 wherein, at 19, I show a hollow vulcanizingsupportupon which the tubular core 8 of rubber material is applied andretained. A strip of pliable material 14, is cut to` form a series ofnormally limp strings eX- tending from the base 14, as best shown inFig. 5. The blank 14 is spirally wrapped about the tubular core 8, thestrings 15 overlapping each other as shown in Fig. 4, and suitablevulcanizing cement is applied to the blank base strip 14 and the tubularcore 8. A heating fluid such as steam is nowV supitl plied to theinterior of the vulcanizing core 19 from any suitable source, to heatthe same and vulcanize the blank base strip 14 to the tubular core 8.Other means ot securing the blank base 14 to the tubular core S, may beemployed, however, the vulcanizing method of assemblingmy massagingelementherein described is preferred.

Suitable electric current conductors 1G are provided and are adapted toenter the easing l in any convenient manneigpreterably at 17, to conductenergizing current to the motor. A suitable electric switch, not shown,may be interposed between the massaging device and source of electricpower when an electric motor is employed to drive the massagingapparatus.

When power is applied to the motor, the shaft 5 is rotated, and thestrings 15 of the massaging' element G will be thrown outwardly relativeto the shaft 5 and the core 8, as best shown in Figs. l and 2 of thedrawinls, due to the ellect of centrifugal force set up by the rapidrotation of the massaging element 6.

The strings at the same time tend to assume substantially parallelsaaced relation with each other. Accordingly the strings 15 whip againstthe face or body portion ot the patient, or user so that a much moreetlicient massaging operation results. The whipping by the .stringsagainst the face or body of the patient is similar in etfect to handpatt-ing massaging but which does A' not have the desired degree otetfect, which results 'trom the rapid successive and contmuous contactof the strings 15 against the tace or body portion oi the patient'l oruser.

Having thus described an embodiment of my invention, and methodsemployed in connection therewith, I am aware that numei-ous andextensive departures may be made therefrom but without departing fromthe spirit of my invention.

`What I claim is:--

1. In a massagfinal apparatus of the class described, the combination ofa handle, and a rotatable mandrel, said mandrel adapted to arlf amassaging member on 'its outer suri'ace, said member comprising acontinuous core and a plurality ot limp massaging strings extendingtherefrom, said strings adapted to be thrown outwardly by centrifugalJforce when the mandrel is rapidly rotated.

f2. An article ot manufacture comprisingI a continuous tubular corehaving a multi.- plicity of limp strings of pliable material outwardlyprojectingr therefrom in spaced relation to each other, said strings andtubular core formingl a unitary structure of a rotary massaging element.

3. An article of manufacture comprisingr a tubular core, a relativelythin band of rubber material wrapped upon said core, and a plurality oflimp slender massaging strings ot pliable material carried by said bandand projecting laterally of the core, said. strings and tubular coreforming a unitary structure of a rotary massagingr element.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 4th day of May,1926.

OLE IIIBNER.

Cil

